May 21
2004

Letter: No virtue in 'Buffy'.
An editorial op against the rescent pro-Buffy articles, "... extolling the spiritual virtues of the heroine ... is one more example of the ability of speakers to say the most ludicrous things and the press to publish them."

"This pathetic, infantile attempt at turning another sitcom into something with dramatic character by the injection of action and violence does nothing to allay my suspicion that TV entertainment and much of the rest of that "industry" strongly resembles pornography, according to a past definition, in having no redeeming merit, none whatsoever."

Ok this guy CLEARLY DOES NOT GET IT! It's people like this guy that makes any hope for peace on earth impossible.

I find it hard to believe that this person has ever even watched an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If he had, he'd understand why so many people think it's a great show with a great message. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I watched this show, Angel and Firefly with my kids and it opened so many avenues of dialogue for us to talk about current issues in the world, the good and the bad and what is right and wrong. There was always a simple underlining message in Joss' shows that doing the right thing is the right thing. That there always are consequences to all your actions and try and do the right thing by choosing wisely in the first place. And it was a universal message too - not aimed at any religion - just a good overall message. At least that's what I got from watching his shows. Life, love, trust, growth and redemption are the stories I got from the Whedonverse.

"This pathetic, infantile attempt at turning another sitcom into something with dramatic character by the injection of action and violence does nothing to allay my suspicion that TV entertainment and much of the rest of that "industry" strongly resembles pornography, according to a past definition, in having no redeeming merit, none whatsoever."

First of all, that's a run-on sentence. Second - pathetic? infantile? f*cking sitcom!? The show has more than just action and violence. This guy clearly has never seen "The Body." And "no redeeming merit"?

"There is no literary base, as with older films, nor is there any metaphoric content, such as in "Salem's Lot," nothing other than the same silly, hollow lot of people so prominent in TV shows: loud, unattractive, stupid and unbelievable."

I never seen "Salem's Lot," but I have never seen a television show more metaphorical or literary than "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Maybe this guy was just too dense to pick up on any of it.

The article ... is one more example of the ability of speakers to say the most ludicrous things and the press to publish them.

Well said. If even this guy's letter got published, maybe one day he can be a real boy, too!

... loud, unattractive, stupid and unbelievable."

Resorting to the personal insult is the last resort of the unimaginative. If you have a problem with the show, say it: criticize the writing, casting, production quality, values, etc. Sinking to the level of calling the cast ugly, on the other hand, is the intellectual equivelant of shoving your thumb up your ass and saying "oh, yeah? Well, I'll-- I'll-- I'll--- give me a sec." A large vocabulary doesn't make you smart, observant or worthy of anyone's attention.

Formula for this letter - take a few facts heard about show in newsmedia, mix in with 30 seconds of "Smashed" accidentally caught while flipping channels, throw in a few references to characters like Sisyphus to make one feel intelligent (and thanks, but I knew that myth in fifth grade, doesn't mean I would've been able to appreciate the philosophical depth of Whedon).

Ooh, and use a lot of multisyllable words, because obviously your position is so superior that anybody who does not agree simply didn't understand. Lace, on occasion, striking terms like "pornography" to incite a strong feeling of revulsion.

Wow, did this person toss a dart at TV guide just to have something to rant at? And a well-thought out criticism is always a good read even when you don't agree with it, but this is just a list of gibberish and name-calling. I cannot picture this person any other way but literally frothing at the mouth.

And no metaphors in Buffy??? Hah, I don't know any other shows that have so many metaphors in them! There are whole volumes written on the spritual and filosophical merits of the Buffy metaphors!

I have the impression this is one of those religious fanatics who'd consider Tom & Jerry 'sinful porno'. Could be wrong.

"Well said. If even this guy's letter got published, maybe one day he can be a real boy, too!" - Dave!

Dave, that's briliant! You provided me with a great late night laugh.

And yes, EdDantes, "Buffy" is definitely the metaphor champion, followed by shows like, well, "Angel," obviously, and also "Roswell" (especially in it's first season), and I've heard that "Star Trek: Enterprise" uses them too.

I don't need to read an article to judge this guy's letter. I've devotedly watched the
Whedonverse for years and feel I am well-poised to say that, in my opinion:

1. he's clearly never watched the show ("sitcom" -- hello???)
2. his arguments are rooted in bile and attacks ad hominem -- I despise his style and find it terribly ineffective
3. his position is idiotic

Note, please, that I didn't call HIM an "idiot," which elevates me immediately at least a touch above this fellow in the grand scheme of things.

I appreciate that people have very different views about the ME shows and I enjoy reading well-written arguments from all sides. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that I respect well-reasoned arguments even if I don't agree with them. But this is just inflammatory nonsense. I don't respect it one whit.